Ellijay Agrees to Downtown Development Authority

“This is a legacy that we will leave for our city and our grandchildren”

The Ellijay City Council agreed to move forward with establishing a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) at last night’s workshop. The council’s action sets the process in motion, moving closer to a long-awaited goal.

During a December 19th Ellijay City Council Workshop, Chamber of Commerce President Paige Green gave a presentation on the DDA before the City Council. The conference room was crowded with citizens attentively listening to her speech. In her presentation, Green defined and explained the purpose of a DDA and its capabilities. A DDA is comprised of seven members, she noted, four of which must live in the City, four must have business interest in the City and one must be a city official, i.e. a council member. She also outlined its authority.

“They cannot encumber the City financially,” she said, “they can enter leases; they can own property; they can purchase property.”

She added that a DDA can go into debt, but only if it has

“the equity and the funds to do that.”

To quell concerns that the DDA would undermine or replace Better Hometown, she clarified that Better Hometown would not go away and that it would work under the DDA.

“They can also be charged—and should be –charged with filling vacant buildings and recruiting new businesses,”

she continued. Her comment, here, seemed to strike a chord with her audience, who doubtless see empty buildings sitting idle like orphans through out down town. Green confessed, though, that a DDA

“is a tool, not an answer to all our problems.”

She requested that the Council begin the authorization process. This entails creating a sub-committee to appoint the seven-member DDA, underscoring that the DDA members are appointed by the Council, not elected officials.

To end, Green said, “This is a legacy that we will leave for our city and our grandchildren.”

The Council voted unanimously to begin the process and made a list of volunteers for the sub-committee, yet to be finalized.

Although one citizen seemed encouraged by the decision, he said he did not expect any substantial developments until February.